Greater New Orleans

Blue Cross Blue Shield chief resigns

Gery Barry, president and chief executive of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, has resigned in order to accept a job as chief strategy officer for Aetna, Inc.

In his new position, he will guide Aetna's domestic and international strategy and help to influence health care policy at the national level.

After Katrina, Barry helped lead a group of private sector health care executives who pushed for a redesign in the way the state cares for the uninsured. Their proposal, which has not taken wing, centered on directing some of the state subsidy of the charity hospital system into insurance vouchers.

Barry will remain with Blue Cross over the next few weeks to help the board of directors establish an interim management.

Brent McCoy, chairman of the Blue Cross board, said the board had "reluctantly" accepted Barry's resignation.

"He has done a remarkable job for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana over the past four years, leaving the company stronger than it has ever been -- not only in membership and financial strength, but also in the strength of our staff and senior management team, our IT infrastructure, our culture and our community-wide profile," McCoy said.

"He has also made a great contribution to the state of Louisiana, providing outstanding leadership in healthcare during and after Katrina, and working tirelessly to establish a better healthcare system for all people of Louisiana," he continued.